Behind-the-Back Cuffed Lateral Raise

The Behind-the-Back Cuffed Lateral Raise is a targeted cable exercise that isolates the side deltoids by placing the line of pull behind the body. Using a wrist cuff eliminates the need for grip strength, ensuring constant tension is applied directly to the shoulder muscle throughout the entire range of motion.

How Iridium Helps

Since the lateral deltoid is a smaller muscle group prone to fatigue, the AI monitors your performance data to prevent compensatory movements often caused by going too heavy. By analyzing your set-by-set RPE and tempo drop-off, the app optimizes volume to stimulate growth without straining the rotator cuff. Furthermore, if you have logged wrist pain or grip limitations in your profile, the AI identifies this cuff-based variation as a preferred alternative to standard dumbbell raises.

Form Cues

Do
  • Stand tall and brace your core
  • Lead the movement with your elbow
  • Keep the cable crossing behind your glutes
  • Pause briefly at shoulder height
Don't
  • Don't shrug your traps upward
  • Don't swing your torso for momentum
  • Don't raise your hand higher than your elbow
  • Don't lean forward excessively

Common Mistakes

  • Using momentum to swing the weight
  • Engaging the upper traps by shrugging
  • Leading with the hand instead of the elbow
  • Allowing the cable to hit the body

Muscles Worked

This exercise is a precision movement for the Lateral Deltoid, the muscle responsible for shoulder width. By positioning the cable behind the back, you alter the angle of pull to maintain continuous tension on the side delt, even at the bottom of the movement where dumbbells typically lose resistance.

Primary

Lateral Deltoid

Secondary

Forearms

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